Abstract: Diamond bearings and bearing components are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bearings and bearing components include polycrystalline diamond compacts sintered under high pressure and high temperature to create a diamond table chemically and mechanically bonded to a substrate, the diamond table presenting a durable and thermally stable load bearing and articulation surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor light source for illuminating a physical space has been invented. In various embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor such as and LED chip, laser chip, LED chip array, laser array, an array of chips, or a VCSEL chip is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink may have multiple panels for mounting chips in various orientations. The chips may be mounted directly to a primary heat sink which is in turn mounted to a multi-panel secondary heat sink. A TE cooler and air circulation may be provided to enhance heat dissipation. An AC/DC converter may be included in the light source fitting.

Abstract: A semiconductor light source for illuminating a physical space has been invented. In various embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor such as and LED chip, laser chip, LED chip array, laser array, an array of chips, or a VCSEL chip is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink may have multiple panels for mounting chips in various orientations. The chips may be mounted directly to a primary heat sink which is in turn mounted to a multi-panel secondary heat sink. A TE cooler and air circulation may be provided to enhance heat dissipation. An AC/DC converter may be included in the light source fitting.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting alpha-alumina to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of alpha-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where alpha-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-beta″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the alpha-alumina to an alkali-metal-beta″-alumina.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic joint having substrate surface topographical features and at least one diamond articulation surface.

Abstract: This rocket motor propellant includes a combustible double-base propellant and non-carbonized, non-graphitized polymeric fibers dispersed in the double-base propellant. The double-base propellant is formed from a composition comprising nitrocellulose and at least one nitrate ester. Representative polymeric fibers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyacrylonitriles and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A combustible cartridge case is provided that includes at least one energetic thermoplastic homopolymer or copolymer derived from, at least in part, poly(bis-azidomethyloxetane) prepolymer blocks terminated with isocyanate-reactive groups, such as hydroxyl groups. Chain linking of the prepolymer blocks is performed with diisocyanates for end-capping the prepolymer blocks, and a difunctional linking compound for linking the end-capped prepolymer blocks. The energetic thermoplastic is preferably capable of being pressed, extruded, rotational molded, injection loaded, or otherwise shaped into a desired configuration. Also provided is a chain-extended poly(bis-azidomethyloxetane) homopolymer derived from bis-azidomethyloxetane prepolymer blocks, which are terminated with isocyanate-reactive groups and chain extended with at least one diisocyanate end-capping compound and at least one difunctional linking compound.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including methods for manufacturing a diamond prosthetic joint component.

Abstract: A system for recovering potable water from the water vapor in ambient air at a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. The system is especially adapt at operating efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities. The system is able to operate efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities by employing a mechanism for enhancing the buildup of frozen water on the surfaces used to condense the water vapor from ambient air.

Abstract: A modular spa with an integrated manifold that has telescoping structure that permits easy insertion and length adjustment for installation between water inlet and outlet lines.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for exercising a body part is disclosed as including an attachment structure and a resistance member. The attachment structure is adapted for placement on the body part that is to be exercised. The attachment structure includes a plurality of fasteners positioned at different locations on the attachment structure. The resistance member provides resistance for exercising the body part. The resistance member has a first end and a second end. A resistance member fastener is located proximate the first end of the resistance member and is capable of fastening to at least one of the fasteners located on the attachment structure. The resistance member includes an anchor for removably attaching the second end of the resistance member to an anchor point. An apparatus for exercising a body part may also include a plurality of distinct identifications on the attachment structure for the plurality of fasteners.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting &agr;-alumina to alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of &agr;-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where &agr;-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-&bgr;″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the &agr;-alumina to an alkali-metal-&bgr;″-alumina.

Abstract: Apparatus for tightening chains that are installed on a tire, as well as methods for using such apparatus is disclosed. The chain-tightening apparatus provides a mechanism for uniformly tightening the chains, as well as maintaining a constant uniform tension on the chains when the tire moves. The apparatus attaches to the chains quickly and easily, making the method of tightening such chains simple. The apparatus is quickly and easily removed and is easily and compactly stored.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically executing a participating application upon insertion of a removable media into a computing device. When the computing device detects that the removable media containing has been inserted, a task disk control file is read from the removable media. The task disk control file contains all of the configuration information necessary to run the participating application from the removable media. The participating application is then launched for use by a user. After the user is finished using the participating application, the removable disk is automatically ejected. In addition to monitoring for insertion of the removable media, events such as a completion of the self-contained application and a request to eject the media are monitored. When a completion event is encountered, all data files are saved, temporary files deleted and configuration information removed prior to the removable disk ejection.

Abstract: Amusement rides and methods are described. The amusement rides of the present invention include roller coaster vehicles that have a controlled spin or controlled rotation in a direction or dimension independent from the track of the roller coaster. The controlled rotation or spin is provided by using displacement of the track configuration to power a proportional rotation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a diamond articulation surface for use in a prosthetic joint

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing blown installation where insulation is entrained in a stream of air and is blown through an electrostatic dissipating hose. The hose contains an electrically conductive and grounded element to dissipate the static charges built up in the entrained insulation passing through the hose and exiting the hose for application into a selected space.

Abstract: A dental bleach that includes a bleaching agent and a thickening agent. The bleaching agent is typically a peroxide and the thickening agent is polyvinylpyrrolidone. A viscous or sticky dental bleach results. Optionally, a basic agent, light or heat may be added to accelerate bleaching. Bleaching may take place with the use of a dental tray. Bleach may be placed into the dental tray from a single barrel, double barrel or multi-barrel syringe containing the components of the bleach. Bleach may be placed against a flexible strip which is placed onto teeth to be bleached.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a component for use in a prosthetic hip, the component having a polycrystalline diamond articulation surface and a plurality of substrate layers.

Abstract: A fill for cushions that includes a quantity of resilient beads and a quantity of gelatinous particles. The resilient beads are deformable and have shape memory. The gelatinous particles are elongatable and deformable. The gelatinous particles are tacky and tend to hold the resilient beads together in a maintainable yet deformable shape of the user's choosing.